Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. However, if the decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel weakens and is destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that the dentist must repair with a filling.
A tooth may be repaired only if the damage is minimal. For example, if a tooth with a crack on the outer level and a minimal fracture line that causes no pain can be repaired only over time. The healing process is known as remineralization and refers to the minerals in our mouth. Saliva goes a long way to keeping the mouth healthy and can help rebuild the enamel of the fractured tooth so that it is strong and protective again.
If tooth decay is still in the demineralization stage, you can reverse it on your own with good dental hygiene. Very small cavities can even heal on their own sometimes. However, this is only conceivable in the early stages of degradation. Brushing and flossing your teeth properly, as well as fluoride treatments, can help reverse the progression of tooth decay.
Sharpe explained that when a tooth is damaged, the body produces a thin layer of dentin to seal the dental pulp and prevent infections. To determine if cavities can heal on their own, you must first understand how the tooth decay process works. Whether your tooth or teeth need a repair and you're wondering if they will repair themselves or not will depend on the type of tooth damage present. This occurs when bacteria in the mouth attack the tooth enamel and weaken the overall surface of the tooth.
Restoring the tooth with its own natural material means that all of the vitality and structure of the tooth are maintained, Sharpe explained.
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